Connie Englund, 66, of Brookings, left this earthly world suddenly and unexpectedly on Wednesday, November 25, 2020, at the Brookings Hospital Emergency Room. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a private family memorial service is planned for Thursday, December 3, 2020, at Eidsness Funeral Home in Brookings, beginning at 10:00 A.M.  The service will be live streamed on Connie's obituary page on the Eidsness Funeral Home website for those wishing to view from home.

Connie Helen Penney became Leonard and Helen (Rundell) Penney's first of four children December 21, 1953 in Lake Preston. She grew up on a farm near DeSmet and graduated in 1972 from DeSmet High School. She attended Watertown Business University and started her fulltime working career with South Dakota Department of Social Services in Watertown. She later moved to Norfolk, NE and worked at the 3M plant. She transferred to Brookings 3M in 1977 and continued her 3M employment.

Connie married Gary Englund September 28, 1985. Besides working at 3M she helped operate Whistlin' Wheels roller skating center. After 22 years with 3M she left and began work for another 10 years at the SDSU Wellness Center.

Connie loved people and to tease, joke, and laugh. She looked forward to meeting students and community members. While working at SDSU she became a huge Jackrabbit fan. She was also a big St. Louis Cardinals fan. She enjoyed riding motorcycle and bicycle and taught spinning classes at SDSU. She participated in many organized bicycle rides to include the MS 150 fundraiser rides many times.

Connie and Gary got back into camping which she enjoyed because their travel trailer now had a bathroom. She wanted to escape some SD winter and finally did as they skipped the entire month of February 2020 and spent it camping in Texas.

Connie also loved spending time with family and friends. Nieces and nephews remember 'ice cream for breakfast' on sleepovers.

Even as health issues slowed her down physically the last few years, she did not let it dampen her spirit or sense of humor. Left to cherish her memory are her husband, Gary; son Alan; four grandchildren; siblings Cathy, Gary, and Caryn; mother-in-law Edna; brother and sister-in-law Terry and Teri'; numerous cousins, nephews, nieces and great nephews and niece, her Best Friend Forever and 'other Mom', Lou Plymate; and Connie and Gary's two shih tzus, Toby and Tippy..

Connie's parents, grandparents, and father-in-law preceded her in death.

Please consider Brookings United Church of Christ or Feeding South Dakota for memorials.